A residential care worker has been criticized by the deputy health and disability commissioner for failing to intervene if a patient self-harmed. (File image)
Photograph: 123RF

A support worker who verbally abused and spat at a disabled woman in his care has been ordered to apologize to his victim.

The residential care worker was also criticized by the Deputy Commissioner for Health and Disability for failing to intervene when she harmed herself.

The abuse came to light after a complaint was made to the Health and Disability Commissioner (HDC) that the woman’s rights had been violated by being recorded without her consent.

“The woman lived in a disability residential care setting and had multiple complex social and mental health disorders that could manifest through challenging behavior and actions,” HDC said in a statement on Monday. he said.

“Interactions between him and his support worker were recorded on video at the center of the investigation where the support worker was heard verbally abusing and spitting at him.”

The content of the video sparked an investigation into the support worker’s actions.

“Had it not come to light in another complaint investigation, the complaint may never have been brought to the attention of this office,” said Rose Wall, deputy commissioner of health and disability.

“I consider this complaint important because it raises concerns about the verbal mistreatment of a vulnerable consumer by a long-standing support worker with a dual disability and coercive behavior in residential care.”

Rose Wall.
Photograph: LANCE LAWSON / SUPPLIED

Wall said the video showed the support worker provoking and humiliating the woman, which “represented a serious lack of respect” and failure to intervene as the woman harmed herself.

“There were multiple options available for (the worker) to intervene, including talking to (the woman), using de-escalation techniques learned in nonviolent crisis intervention training, and/or calling for help, any of these actions, or any other intervention.”

Wall said he was “appalled” and his behavior was unacceptable “under any circumstances”.

It was determined that the worker violated his first and third rights under the Health and Disability Services Consumer Rights Act by not treating him with respect and dignity.

Wall recommended that the worker, who is no longer working at the care facility, issue a formal apology and that future employers “subject him to training in treating consumers with respect and dignity and relationship management/interacting with people who exhibit challenging behavior.” behaviour”.

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